OPINION | Why law and order in Bihar has deteriorated?

The nephew of Union minister of state for Home Nityanand Rai was killed in a firing and two others were seriously injured on Thursday in Naugachia near Bhagalpur. An intra-family dispute over drawing tap water resulted in firing from both sides. The minister’s nephew Vishwajit Anand died on spot, while his brother Jaijeet and mother were critically injured. Both nephews fired from their pistols at each other and the mother, who was trying to pacify them, was caught in the crossfire. Police said, the weapons used in firing were unlicensed. Since it was a high-profile case, RJD, Congress and other opposition parties blamed Nitish Kumar government for deterioration in law and order. In the Vidhan Parishad, when RJD leader Rabri Devi raised the issue, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar made personal attacks on her. Nitish reminded Rabri Devi of the ‘jungle raj’ during her husband Lalu Prasad’s rule in Bihar. Political wranglings aside, the fact is: the state government is trying to downplay this firing incident as intra-family rivalry. The question is: From where did the two brothers get illegal weapons? One of them is dead, and the other is fighting for his life in hospital. How did those pistols vanish? Police has been unable to seize the weapons. Are pistols easily available in Bihar? Is it not failure on part of  police that weapons used in murder vanished soon after the incident? The harsh reality must be faced. There has been deterioration in law and order, and criminals are openly flouting the law. As a result, opposition parties get the chance to target the state government. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar cannot absolve himself of the blame that he has been making personal attacks on Rabri Devi. The manner in which he suddenly gets irritated inside the House and makes disparaging remarks, is not a good sign. https://ift.tt/kzgGxyf